Colombo: Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) attended the reception hosted by the High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Colombo on 23 July to commemorate the 61st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Maldives. The event was held at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, H.E. Masood Imad, received the dignitaries upon their arrival.

Deputy Speaker, Ministers, the Governor of the Western Province, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Air Force Commander, Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Navy, senior government officials, and tri forces officers were among those present at the occasion.